Lazio travel to the Stadio Castellani on August 21 to take on newly-promoted Empoli in their 2021/22 Serie A season opener.
Empoli expert Jake Mills states that returning manager Aurelio Andreazzoli will likely approach the match against the Biancocelesti in a 4-3-1-2 formation. This is what was primarily utilized under former coach Alessio Dionisi last season that allowed the Azzurri to achieve promotion.
Tactically, the full-backs get forward and there are fast transitions in attack that cause their opposition to struggle; however, this leaves holes in the backline that Lazio could exploit.
Cagliari loanee Guglielmo Vicario is set to start in goal, with Dinamo Zagreb loanee Petar Stojanovic, Ardian Ismajli, Simone Romagnoli, and Sassuolo loanee Riccardo Marchizza composing the backline.
Leo Stulac, Samuele Ricci and Nicolas Haas should form a balanced midfield, with the exciting Nedim Bajrami in the number 10 role, supporting Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Patrick Cutrone and Leonardo Mancuso in attack.
There are also some quality depth options available to Andreazzoli that Lazio will have to take note of, including the likes of Liam Henderson, Fabiano Parisi and Filippo Bandinelli.
Below is a look at Empoli‘s expected starting lineup to take on Maurizio Sarri‘s Biancocelesti.
Empoli (4-3-1-2): Vicario; Stojanovic, Ismajli, Romagnoli, Marchizza; Stulac, Ricci, Haas; Bajrami; Cutrone, Mancuso
